Biomarker for Selecting Patients and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns methods for inducing an immune response to an antigen in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogenic composition wherein said patient is selected in a patient population of interest. The present invention further concerns methods for determining whether a subject is or is not susceptible to developing a prophylactic or therapeutic immune response after such treatment.

The present invention relates to the field of immunology and, inparticular, to immunotherapy of a patient against diseases caused forexample by infection or cancers. More particularly, the inventionrelates to methods for predicting whether a patient is or is notsusceptible to developing a prophylactic or therapeutic immune responseafter such immunotherapy. The present invention relates to methods andcompositions for improving the survival rate of patients to be treatedby an immunogenic composition, in particular a vaccine.

Traditional vaccination techniques involving the introduction into ananimal system of an antigen (e.g. peptides, proteins) which can inducean immune response, and thereby protect said animal against infectionfor example, have been known for many years. These techniques havefurther included the development of both live and inactivated vaccines.Live vaccines are typically attenuated non-pathogenic versions of aninfectious agent that are capable of priming an immune response directedagainst a pathogenic version of the infectious agent.

Numerous research groups have also investigated the use of vaccines as apotential therapeutic modality for various cancer types. This specifictype of vaccine strategy is generally referred to as immunotherapy.

In recent years there have been advances in the development ofrecombinant vaccines, especially recombinant live vaccines, in whichforeign antigens of interest are encoded and expressed from a vector.Among them, vectors based on recombinant viruses have shown greatpromise and play an important role in the development of new vaccines.Many viruses have been investigated for their ability to expressproteins from foreign pathogens or tumoral tissue, and to inducespecific immunological responses against these antigens in vivo.Generally, these gene-based vaccines can stimulate potent humoral andcellular immune responses and viral vectors may be an effective strategyfor both the delivery of antigen-encoding genes and the facilitation andenhancement of antigen presentation. In order to be utilized as avaccine carrier, the ideal viral vector should be safe and enableefficient presentation of required pathogen-specific antigens to theimmune system. Furthermore, the vector system must meet criteria thatenable its production on a large-scale basis. Several viral vaccinevectors have thus emerged to date, all of them having relativeadvantages and limits depending on the proposed application (for areview on recombinant viral vaccines see for example Harrop and Carroll,2006, Front Biosci., 11, 804-817; Yokoyama et al., 1997, J Vet MedSci.,59, 311-322).

Following the observation in the early 1990's that plasmid DNA vectorscould directly transfect animal cells in vivo, significant researchefforts have also been undertaken to develop vaccination techniquesbased upon the use of DNA plasmids to induce immune response, by directintroduction into animals of DNA which encodes for antigens. Suchtechniques which are widely referred as DNA vaccination have now beenused to elicit protective immune responses in large number of diseasemodels. For a review on DNA vaccines, see Reyes-Sandoval and Ertl, 2001(Current Molecular Medicine, 1, 217-243).

A general problem in vaccine field however has been the identificationof a means of inducing a sufficiently strong immune response invaccinated individuals to protect and/or treat against infection anddisease, and thereby to extend the survival of patient having fataldisease, for example, cancer.

Therefore there has been for example major effort in recent years, todiscover new drug compounds that act by stimulating certain key aspectsof the immune system which will serve to increase the immune responseinduced by vaccines. Most of these compounds, referred as immuneresponse modifiers (IRMs) or adjuvants, appear to act through basicimmune system mechanisms via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to inducevarious important cytokines biosynthesis (e.g., interferons,interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, etc. see for example Schiller etal., 2006, Exp Dermatol., 15, 331-341). Such compounds have been shownto stimulate a rapid release of certain dendritic cell,monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokines and are also capable ofstimulating B cells to secrete antibodies which play an important rolein the antiviral and antitumor activities of IRM compounds.

Alternatively, vaccination strategies have been proposed, most of thembeing based on a prime-boost vaccination regimen. According to these“prime-boost” vaccination protocols, the immune system is first inducedby administering to the patient a priming composition and then boostedby administration of a boosting second composition (see for exampleEP1411974 or US20030191076).

It has been shown that functional activation and down-regulation ofnatural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity may play a major role inreproductive outcome (Nitrivalas et al., 2001, Human Reproduction, 16,855-861). More specifically, Thum et al, 2004, Human Reproduction, 19,2395-2400, have evaluated the effect of the absolute count of specificmarker expression on peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells onimplantation and miscarriage rates after Intra Vitro Fecondation (IVF)treatment. The authors have determined that an increase in the absolutecount of activated NK cells in the peripheral blood is associated with areduced rate of embryo implantation in IVF treatment. Furthermore, womenwith high peripheral blood NK cell absolute count, who are able toachieve pregnancy, have a significant higher miscarriage rate.

The Applicant has now identified new tool and vaccination strategy.According to a first embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for treating a patient for human disease by administering animmunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen wherein saidpatient is selected in a patient population composed of patients thathave low levels of activated NK cells.

The present Invention thus relates to a method for treating a patientfor human disease by administering an immunogenic composition comprisingat least one antigen, said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   selection of one patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patient the said immunogenic        composition.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response (i.e. the raised immune response)in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogeniccomposition wherein said patient is selected in a patient populationcomposed of patients that have low levels of activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response to at least one antigen (i.e. theraised immune response) in a patient for treating human disease byadministering an immunogenic composition wherein said patient isselected in a patient population composed of patients that have lowlevels of activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response (i.e. the raised immune response)in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogeniccomposition wherein said patient is selected in a patient populationcomposed of patients that have low levels of activated NK cells andwherein said raised immune response is innate immune response. Theinnate immune response is body's initial immune defense againstpathogens and is elicited by a variety of cells includingantigen-presenting cells or “APCs”. These cells express surface andcytoplasmic receptors that recognize molecules of foreign origin (e.g.,bacterial and viral nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates). Upondetecting these signals, the dendritic cells and macrophage elicit adefensive response that includes the release of cytokines (includinginterferons, TNF-.alpha., and IL-12) and chemokines that attract cellssuch as immature dendritic cells, macrophage, NK cells, andgranulocytes, to the site of challenge. The innate immune response thusconfers non-specific protection while the body is generating theadaptive response.

The present Invention thus relates to a method for inducing an immuneresponse (i.e. the raised immune response) in a patient for treatinghuman disease by administering an immunogenic composition, said methodcomprising the following steps:

-   -   selection of one patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patient the said immunogenic        composition.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response to at least one antigen (i.e. theraised immune response) in a patient for treating human disease byadministering an immunogenic composition, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   selection of one patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patient the said immunogenic        composition.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response (i.e. the raised immune response)in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogeniccomposition wherein said raised immune response is innate immuneresponse, said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   selection of patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patients the said immunogenic        composition.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response (i.e. the raised immune response)in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogeniccomposition, said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response to at least one antigen (i.e. theraised immune response) in a patient for treating human disease byadministering an immunogenic composition, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for inducing an immune response (i.e. the raised immune response)in a patient for treating human disease by administering an immunogeniccomposition wherein said raised immune response is innate immuneresponse, said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for predicting whether a patient is or is not susceptible todeveloping prophylactic or therapeutic immune response by administrationof an immunogenic composition, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient is predicted to        have an increased susceptibility to develop a prophylactic or        therapeutic immune response.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for selecting a patient susceptible to developing prophylactic ortherapeutic immune response by administration of an immunogeniccomposition, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient has an increased        susceptibility to developing a prophylactic or therapeutic        immune response.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for predicting whether a patient is or is not susceptible torespond positively to a treatment comprising administration of animmunogenic composition, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient is predicted to        have an increased susceptibility to develop a prophylactic or        therapeutic immune response.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to amethod for selecting a patient susceptible to respond positively to atreatment comprising administration of an immunogenic composition, saidmethod comprising the steps of:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient has an increased        susceptibility to developing a prophylactic or therapeutic        immune response.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to anex-vivo method for testing whether a patient will respondtherapeutically to a method of treatment comprising administration of animmunogenic composition, wherein the testing method comprises the stepsof:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient will develop a        prophylactic or therapeutic immune response towards the        immunogenic composition.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to anex-vivo method for testing whether a patient will respondtherapeutically to a method of treating cancer by administration of animmunogenic composition, wherein the testing method comprises the stepsof:

-   -   obtaining a blood sample from the patient; and    -   measuring levels of activated NK cells, wherein low levels of        activated NK cells indicates that the patient will respond        therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.

As used herein throughout the entire application, the terms “a” and“an”are used in the sense that they mean “at least one”, “at least afirst”, “one or more” or “a plurality” of the referenced compounds orsteps, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, the term “acell” includes a plurality of cells including a mixture thereof. Morespecifically, “at least one” and “one or more” means a number which isone or greater than one, with a special preference for one, two orthree.

The term “and/or” wherever used herein includes the meaning of “and”,“or” and “all or any other combination of the elements connected by saidterm”.

The term “about” or “approximately” as used herein means within 20%,preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5%.

The terms “patient”, “subject” refer to a vertebrate, particularly amember of the mammalian species and includes, but is not limited to,domestic animals, sport animals, primates including humans.

As used herein, the term “treatment” or “treating” encompassesprophylaxis and/or therapy. Accordingly the immunogenic compositions ormethods of the present invention are not limited to therapeuticapplications and can be used in prophylaxis ones. This is covered by theterm “to developing a prophylactic or therapeutic immune response”herein. “Prophylaxis” is not limited to preventing immediate diseases(e.g. infectious diseases), it further encompasses prevention of longterm consequences of these infections such as cirrhosis or cancer.

An “effective amount” or a “sufficient amount” of an active compound isan amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results, includingclinical results. An effective amount can be administered in one or moreadministrations. A “therapeutically effective amount” is an amount toeffect beneficial clinical results, including, but not limited to,alleviation of one or more symptoms associated with viral infection aswell as prevention of disease (e.g. prevention of one or more symptomsof infection).

The terms “a patient selected in a patient population composed ofpatients that have low levels of activated NK cells” should beunderstood as meaning a patient for who level of activated NK cells hasbeen measured as disclosed herein, and who has low levels of activatedNK cells. When the number of patient tested is above 1, the saidpatients form a patient population.

As used herein, the terms “activated NK cells” means a lymphocyte cellwhich expresses CD16, CD56 and CD69 cell surface antigens. According toa preferred embodiment, the said activated NK cells further does notexpress CD3 surface antigen. For a review, please refer to Vivier etal., 2008, Nature Immunology, 9, 503-510. Alternatively, the activatedNK cells can further be defined based on expression and/or production ofIL27 (Villarino et al, 2005, J Immunol., 174, 7684-91), Ly108 (Zhong andVeilette, 2008, JBC, 283(28), 19255-64), Perforin (Morissette et al.,2007, Respir Res., 8, 62), Granzyme B (Ida et al, 2003, Eur J Immunol.,33, 3284-92), IL21/21R (Frederiksen et al, 2008, Cancer ImmunolImmunother., 57, 1439-49; Dodds et al., 2008, Cancer ImmunolImmunother., October), CXCR1 (Inngjerdingen et al., 2001, Blood.,97,367-75), CD244 (Gao et al., J Immunol. 2006 Mar. 1;176(5):2758-64),IL15R and/or Granulisin. Those terms are widely used in the art.

According to special embodiments, the terms “a patient will respondtherapeutically” mean that the said patient has an increase of survivalrate (see example section).

According to the Invention, the levels of activated NK cells can bedetermined for example by flow cytometry (e.g. by flow cytofluorimetry),target cell lysis assay, and more particularly by 3 or more color flowcytometry (e.g. Beckton Dickinson, Beckman Coulter). See for exampleNtrivalas et al, 2001, Human Reproduction, 16, 855-861; Borrego et al,1993, Eur. J. Immunol., 23, 1039-1043.

According to the Invention, the levels of activated NK cells can bedetermined on total blood sample or on isolated peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMC) [e.g. by Ficoll-Hypaque purification ofperipheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (Bennett & Breit 1994, JLeukoc Biol., 56(3), 236-40), or by using Sigma Accuspin™ system(Sigma-Aldrich Ltd.) according to the manufacturer's instructions, andthe like].

According to one embodiment of the Invention, the level of activated NKcells is determined by using antibodies.

According to one specific embodiment of the Invention, said antibodiesare monoclonal antibodies.

According to one specific embodiment of the Invention, said antibodiesare tagged for example by fluorescence, radiolabel, enzyme, biotin, orany other methods designed to render cells labeled with said antibodiesdetectable. These techniques are widely used and known in the art.

According to one preferred embodiment of the Invention, the levels ofactivated NK cells is determined by using antibodies specific for CD16,CD56 and/or CD69, preferably by antibodies specific for CD16, CD56 andCD69. Alternatively, said levels of activated NK cells are furtherdetermined by using antibodies specific for CD3.

Thus, for example, the levels of activated NK cells is determined bycollecting peripheral blood and incubating cells with monoclonalantibodies (e.g. with anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD19,anti-CD56, anti-CD69 and/or anti-CD16). Then the levels of activated NKcells is determined with the instrument, manufactured by InstrumentationLaboratory-Beckman Coulter, with a He-Ne laser-ray, which recognizeswavelengths of four different fluorochromes (fluorescein isothiocyanateFITC, phycoerythrin PE/RD1, ECD, PC5/PE).

The levels of activated NK cells can be expressed in either (i) percent(%) of peripheral blood lymphocytes which express CD16, CD56 and CD69cell surface antigens, or (ii) absolute numbers of activated NK cellsper microliter of whole peripheral blood. According to one embodimentsaid peripheral blood lymphocytes have been isolated from whole bloodand stored frozen until analysis.

As used herein, the terms “low levels of activated NK cells” meanseither (i) levels of activated NK cells of less than about 5%,advantageously less than about 4.5%, preferably less than about 4% andeven more preferably less than about 3.5%, and even more particularlyless than about 3.45% or (ii) fewer than about 75, preferably fewer thanabout 60, and more preferably fewer than about 50 activated NK cells,more particularly fewer than about 35 activated NK cells, preferablythose present in the mononuclear cells population, per microliter ofwhole peripheral blood.

As used herein, the terms “immunogenic composition” “vaccinecomposition”, “vaccine” or similar terms can be used interchangeably andmean an agent suitable for stimulating/inducing/increasing a patient'simmune system to ameliorate a current condition or to protect against orto reduce present or future harm or infections (including viral,bacterial, parasitic infections), e.g., reduced tumour cellproliferation or survival, reduced pathogen replication or spread in apatient or a detectably reduced unwanted symptom(s) associated with acondition, extend patient survival. Said immunogenic composition cancontain (i) all or part of at least one targeted antigen and/or (ii) atleast one recombinant vector expressing in vivo all or part of at leastone heterologous nucleotide sequence, especially an heterologousnucleotide sequence encoding all or part of at least one targetedantigen. According to an alternate embodiment, the immunogeniccomposition of the Invention comprises (iii) at least one immuneresponse modifier, alone or in combination with (i) and/or (ii).Examples of such immune response modifiers (IRMs), include the CpGoligonucleotides (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,388; US2006094683; WO2004039829 for example), lipopolysaccharides, polyinosic:polycytidylicacid complexes (Kadowaki, et al., 2001, J. Immunol. 166, 2291-2295), andpolypeptides and proteins known to induce cytokine production fromdendritic cells and/or monocyte/macrophages. Other examples of suchimmune response modifiers (IRMs) are small organic molecule such asimidazoquinolinamines, imidazopyridine amines, 6,7-fusedcycloalkylimidazopyridine amines, imidazonaphthyridine amines,oxazoloquinoline amines, thiazoloquinoline amines and 1,2-bridgedimidazoquinoline amines (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,338; U.S.Pat. No. 5,389,640; U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,929; and U.S. Pat. No.6,331,539).

As used herein, the term “antigen” refers to any substance, includingcomplex antigen (e.g. tumour cells, virus infected cells, etc . . . ),that is capable of being the target of an immune response. An antigenmay be the target of, for example, a cell-mediated and/or humoral immuneresponse raised by a patient. The term “antigen” encompasses for exampleall or part of viral antigens, tumour-specific or tumour-relatedantigens, bacterial antigens, parasitic antigens, allergens and thelike:

-   -   Viral antigens include for example antigens from hepatitis        viruses A, B, C, D and E, HIV, herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus,        varicella zoster, papilloma viruses, Epstein Barr virus,        influenza viruses, para-influenza viruses, adenoviruses,        coxsakie viruses, picorna viruses, rotaviruses, respiratory        syncytial viruses, pox viruses, rhinoviruses, rubella virus,        papovirus, mumps virus, measles virus; some non-limiting        examples of known viral antigens include the following: antigens        derived from HIV-1 such as tat, nef, gp120 or gp160, gp40, p24,        gag, env, vif, vpr, vpu, rev or part and/or combinations        thereof; antigens derived from human herpes viruses such as gH,        gL gM gB gC gK gE or gD or part and/or combinations thereof or        Immediate Early protein such asICP27, ICP47, ICP4, ICP36 from        HSV1 or HSV2; antigens derived from cytomegalovirus, especially        human cytomegalovirus such as gB or derivatives thereof;        antigens derived from Epstein Barr virus such as gp350 or        derivatives thereof; antigens derived from Varicella Zoster        Virus such as gp1, 11, 111 and 1E63; antigens derived from a        hepatitis virus such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or hepatitis E        virus antigen (e.g. env protein E1 or E2, core protein, NS2,        NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a, NS5b, p7, or part and/or combinations        thereof of HCV); antigens derived from human papilloma viruses        (for example HPV6,11,16,18, e.g. L1, L2, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6,        E7, or part and/or combinations thereof); antigens derived from        other viral pathogens, such as Respiratory Syncytial virus (e.g.        F and G proteins or derivatives thereof), parainfluenza virus,        measles virus, mumps virus, flaviviruses (e. g. Yellow Fever        Virus, Dengue Virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, Japanese        Encephalitis Virus) or Influenza virus cells (e.g. HA, NP, NA,        or M proteins, or part and/or combinations thereof);    -   tumor-specific or -related antigens include but are not limited        to, carcinoma, lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, and leukemia. More        particular examples of such cancers include breast cancer,        prostate cancer, colon cancer, squamous cell cancer, small-cell        lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastrointestinal        cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer,        ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma,        colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, salivary gland        carcinoma, kidney cancer, liver cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid        cancer, hepatic carcinoma and various types of head and neck        cancer, renal cancer, malignant melanoma, laryngeal cancer,        prostate cancer. Cancer antigens are antigens which can        potentially stimulate apparently tumor-specific immune        responses. Some of these antigens are encoded, although not        necessarily expressed, by normal cells. These antigens can be        characterized as those which are normally silent (i.e., not        expressed) in normal cells, those that are expressed only at low        levels or at certain stages of differentiation and those that        are temporally expressed such as embryonic and fetal antigens.        Other cancer antigens are encoded by mutant cellular genes, such        as oncogenes (e.g., activated ras oncogene), suppressor genes        (e.g., mutant p53), fusion proteins resulting from internal        deletions or chromosomal translocations. Still other cancer        antigens can be encoded by viral genes such as those carried on        RNA and DNA tumor viruses. Some non-limiting examples of        tumor-specific or -related antigens include MART-1/Melan-A,        gp100, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), adenosine        deaminase-binding protein (ADAbp), cyclophilin b, Colorectal        associated antigen (CRC)-0017-1A/GA733, Carcinoembryonic Antigen        (CEA) and its immunogenic epitopes CAP-1 and CAP-2, etv6, aml1,        Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and its immunogenic epitopes        PSA-1, PSA-2, and PSA-3, prostate-specific membrane antigen        (PSMA), T-cell receptor/CD3-zeta chain, MAGE-family of tumor        antigens (e.g., MAGE-Al, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A5,        MAGE-A6, MAGE-A7, MAGE-A8, MAGE-A9, MAGE-A10, MAGE-A12,        MAGE-A12, MAGE-Xp2 (MAGE-B2), MAGE-Xp3 (MAGE-B3), MAGE-Xp4        (MAGE-B4), MAGE-C1, MAGE-C2, MAGE-C3, MAGE-C4, MAGE-C5),        GAGE-family of tumor antigens (e.g., GAGE-1, GAGE-2, GAGE-3,        GAGE-4, GAGE-5, GAGE-6, GAGE-7, GAGE-8, GAGE-9), BAGE, RAGE,        LAGE-1, NAG, GnT-V, MUM-1, CDK4, tyrosinase, p53, MUC family        (e.g. MUC-1), HER2/neu, p21ras, RCAS1, alpha-fetoprotein,        E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin,        p120ctn, gp100.sup.Pme1117, PRAME, NY-ESO-1, cdc27, adenomatous        polyposis coli protein (APC), fodrin, Connexin 37, Ig-idiotype,        p15, gp75, GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, viral products such as        human papilloma virus proteins, Smad family of tumor antigens,        lmp-1, P1A, EBV-encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1, brain glycogen        phosphorylase, SSX-1, SSX-2 (HOM-MEL-40), SSX-1, SSX-4, SSX-5,        SCP-1 and CT-7, and c-erbB-2;    -   bacterial antigens includes for example antigens from        Mycobacteria causing TB and leprosy, pneumocci, aerobic gram        negative bacilli, mycoplasma, staphyloccocal infections,        streptococcal infections, salmonellae, chlamydiae, neisseriae;    -   other antigens includes for example antigens from malaria,        leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis,        filariasis;    -   allergens refer to a substance that can induce an allergic or        asthmatic response in a susceptible patient. The list of        allergens is enormous and can include pollens, insect venoms,        animal dander dust, fungal spores and drugs (e.g. penicillin).        Examples of natural, animal and plant allergens include but are        not limited to proteins specific to the following genuses:        Canine (Canis familiaris); Dermatophagoides (e.g.        Dermatophagoides farinae); Felis (Felis domesticus); Ambrosia        (Ambrosia artemiisfolia; Lolium (e.g. Lolium perenne or Lolium        multiflorum); Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica); Alternaria        (Alternaria alternata); Alder; Alnus (Alnus gultinoasa); Betula        (Betula verrucosa); Quercus (Quercus alba); Olea (Olea europa);        Artemisia (Artemisia vulgaris); Plantago (e.g. Plantago        lanceolata); Parietaria (e.g. Parietaria officinalis or        Parietaria judaica); Blattella (e.g. Blattella germanica); Apis        (e.g. Apis multiflorum); Cupressus (e.g. Cupressus sempervirens,        Cupressus arizonica and Cupressus macrocarpa); Juniperus (e.g.        Juniperus sabinoides, Juniperus virginiana, Juniperus communis        and Juniperus ashei); Thuya (e.g. Thuya orientalis);        Chamaecyparis (e.g. Chamaecyparis obtuse); Periplaneta (e.g.        Periplaneta americana); Agropyron (e.g. Agropyron repens);        Secale (e.g. Secale cereale); Triticum (e.g. Triticum aestivum);        Dactylis (e.g. Dactylis glomerata); Festuca (e.g. Festuca        elatior); Poa (e.g. Poa pratensis or Poa compressa); Avena (e.g.        Avena sativa); Holcus (e.g. Holcus lanatus); Anthoxanthum (e.g.        Anthoxanthum odoratum); Arrhenatherum (e.g. Arrhenatherum        elatius); Agrostis (e.g. Agrostis alba); Phleum (e.g. Phleum        pratense); Phalaris (e.g. Phalaris arundinacea); Paspalum (e.g.        Paspalum notatum); Sorghum (e.g. Sorghum halepensis); and Bromus        (e.g. Bromus inermis).

According to one special embodiment, said antigen is encoded by anheterologous nucleotide sequence and is expressed in vivo by arecombinant vector.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the heterologous nucleotidesequence of the present invention, encodes one or more of all or part ofthe following antigens HBV-PreS1 PreS2 and Surface env proteins, coreand polHIV-gp120 gp40,gp160, p24, gag, pol, env, vif, vpr, vpu, tat,rev, nef; HPV-E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, L1, L2 (see for example WO90/10459, WO 98/04705, WO 99/03885); HCV env protein E1 or E2, coreprotein, NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a, NS5b, p7 (see for exampleWO2004111082, WO2005051420); Muc-1 (see for example U.S. Pat. No.5,861,381; U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,438; WO98/04727; WO98/37095).

According to variants of the invention, the immunogenic compositioncontains at least two antigens, or an heterologous nucleotide sequenceencoding at least two antigens, or at least two heterologous nucleotidesequences encoding at least two antigens, or any combination thereof.

According to another special embodiment, said heterologous nucleotidesequence of the present invention, encodes all or part of HPV antigen(s)selected in the group consisting of E6 early coding region of HPV, E7early coding region of HPV and derivates or combination thereof.

The HPV antigen encoded by the recombinant vector according to theinvention is selected in the group consisting of an HPV E6 polypeptide,an HPV E7 polypeptide or both an HPV E6 polypeptide and an HPV E7polypeptide. The present invention encompasses the use of any HPV E6polypeptide which binding to p53 is altered or at least significantlyreduced and/or the use of any HPV E7 polypeptide which binding to Rb isaltered or at least significantly reduced (Munger et al., 1989, EMBO J.8, 4099-4105; Crook et al., 1991, Cell 67, 547-556; Heck et al., 1992,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 4442-4446; Phelps et al., 1992, J. Virol.66, 2148-2427). A non-oncogenic HPV-16 E6 variant which is suitable forthe purpose of the present invention is deleted of one or more aminoacid residues located from approximately position 118 to approximatelyposition 122 (+1 representing the first methionine residue of the nativeHPV-16 E6 polypeptide), with a special preference for the completedeletion of residues 118 to 122 (CPEEK). A non-oncogenic HPV-16 E7variant which is suitable for the purpose of the present invention isdeleted of one or more amino acid residues located from approximatelyposition 21 to approximately position 26 (+1 representing the firstamino acid of the native HPV-16 E7 polypeptide, with a specialpreference for the complete deletion of residues 21 to 26 (DLYCYE).According to a preferred embodiment, the one or more HPV-16 earlypolypeptide(s) in use in the invention is/are further modified so as toimprove MHC class I and/or MHC class II presentation, and/or tostimulate anti-HPV immunity. HPV E6 and E7 polypeptides are nuclearproteins and it has been previously shown that membrane presentationpermits to improve their therapeutic efficacy (see for exampleWO99/03885). Thus, it may be advisable to modify at least one of the HPVearly polypeptide(s) so as to be anchored to the cell membrane. Membraneanchorage can be easily achieved by incorporating in the HPV earlypolypeptide a membrane-anchoring sequence and if the native polypeptidelacks it a secretory sequence (i.e. a signal peptide).Membrane-anchoring and secretory sequences are known in the art.Briefly, secretory sequences are present at the N-terminus of themembrane presented or secreted polypeptides and initiate their passageinto the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They usually comprise 15 to 35essentially hydrophobic amino acids which are then removed by a specificER-located 1endopeptidase to give the mature polypeptide.Membrane-anchoring sequences are usually highly hydrophobic in natureand serves to anchor the polypeptides in the cell membrane (see forexample Branden and Tooze, 1991, in Introduction to Protein Structure p.202-214, NY Garland).

The choice of the membrane-anchoring and secretory sequences which canbe used in the context of the present invention is vast. They may beobtained from any membrane-anchored and/or secreted polypeptidecomprising it (e.g. cellular or viral polypeptides) such as the rabiesglycoprotein, of the HIV virus envelope glycoprotein or of the measlesvirus F protein or may be synthetic. The membrane anchoring and/orsecretory sequences inserted in each of the early HPV-16 polypeptidesused according to the invention may have a common or different origin.The preferred site of insertion of the secretory sequence is theN-terminus downstream of the codon for initiation of translation andthat of the membrane-anchoring sequence is the C-terminus, for exampleimmediately upstream of the stop codon.

The HPV E6 polypeptide in use in the present invention is preferablymodified by insertion of the secretory and membrane-anchoring signals ofthe measles F protein. Optionally or in combination, the HPV E7polypeptide in use in the present invention is preferably modified byinsertion of the secretory and membrane-anchoring signals of the rabiesglycoprotein.

The therapeutic efficacy of the recombinant vector can also be improvedby using one or more nucleic acid encoding immunopotentiatorpolypeptide(s). For example, it may be advantageous to link the HPVearly polypeptide(s) to a polypeptide such as calreticulin (Cheng etal., 2001, J. Clin. Invest. 108, 669-678), Mycobacterium tuberculosisheat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (Chen et al., 2000, Cancer Res. 60,1035-1042), ubiquitin (Rodriguez et al., 1997, J. Virol. 71, 8497-8503)or the translocation domain of a bacterial toxin such as Pseudomonasaeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA(dIII)) (Hung et al., 2001 Cancer Res. 61,3698-3703).

According to another and preferred embodiment, the recombinant vectoraccording to the invention comprises a nucleic acid encoding one or moreearly polypeptide(s) as above defined, and more particularly HPV-16and/or HPV-18 early E6 and/or E7 polypeptides.

According to another special and preferred embodiment, said heterologousnucleotide sequence of the present invention, encodes all or part of MUC1 antigen or derivates thereof.

According to another special embodiment, said heterologous nucleotidesequence of the present invention, encodes one or more of all or part ofthe followings: HCV env protein E1 or E2, core protein, NS2, NS3, NS4a,NS4b, NS5a, NS5b, p7 or derivates thereof. According to another specialembodiment, said heterologous nucleotide sequence of the presentinvention, encodes one or more fusion protein wherein the configurationis not native in the sense that at least one of the NS polypeptidesappears in an order which is distinct from that of the nativeconfiguration. Thus, if the fusion protein comprises a NS3 polypeptide,a NS4A polypeptide and a NS5B polypeptide, the native configurationwould be NS3-NS4A-NS5B with NS3 at the N-terminus and NS5B at theC-terminus. In contrast, a non-native configuration can beNS5B-NS3-NS4A, NS5B-NS4A-NS3, NS4A-NS3-NS5B, NS4A-NS5B-NS3 orNS3-NS5B-NS4A. In particular, the fusion protein according to theinvention comprises at least one of the followings:

-   -   A NS4A polypeptide fused directly or through a linker to the        N-terminus of a NS3 polypeptide;    -   A NS3 polypeptide fused directly or through a linker to the        N-terminus of a NS5B polypeptide;    -   A NS4B polypeptide fused directly or through a linker to the        N-terminus of a NS5B polypeptide;    -   A NS4A polypeptide fused directly or through a linker to the        N-terminus of a NS3 polypeptide which is fused directly or        through a linker to the N-terminus of a NS4B polypeptide; and/or    -   A NS3 polypeptide fused directly or through a linker to the        N-terminus of a NS4B polypeptide which is fused directly or        through a linker to the N-terminus of a NS5B polypeptide.

In such specific portions of the fusion protein of the invention, eachof the NS polypeptides can be independently native or modified. Forexample, the NS4A polypeptide included in the NS4A-NS3 portion can benative whereas the NS3 polypeptide comprises at least one of themodifications described below.

If needed, the nucleic acid molecule in use in the invention may beoptimized for providing high level expression of the targeted antigen(e.g. HPV early polypeptide(s)) in a particular host cell or organism,e.g. a human host cell or organism. Typically, codon optimisation isperformed by replacing one or more “native” (e.g. HPV) codoncorresponding to a codon infrequently used in the mammalian host cell byone or more codon encoding the same amino acid which is more frequentlyused. This can be achieved by conventional mutagenesis or by chemicalsynthetic techniques (e.g. resulting in a synthetic nucleic acid). It isnot necessary to replace all native codons corresponding to infrequentlyused codons since increased expression can be achieved even with partialreplacement. Moreover, some deviations from strict adherence tooptimised codon usage may be made to accommodate the introduction ofrestriction site(s).

As used herein, the term “recombinant vector” refers to viral as well asnon viral vectors, including extrachromosomal (e.g. episome), multicopyand integrating vectors (i.e. for being incorporated into the hostchromosomes). Particularly important in the context of the invention arevectors for use in gene therapy (i.e. which are capable of deliveringthe nucleic acid to a host organism) as well as expression vectors foruse in various expression systems. Suitable non viral vectors includeplasmids such as pREP4, pCEP4 (Invitrogene), pCI (Promega), pCDMB (Seed,1987, Nature 329, 840), pVAX and pgWiz (Gene Therapy System Inc; Himoudiet al., 2002, J. Virol. 76, 12735-12746). Suitable viral vectors may bederived from a variety of different viruses (e.g. retrovirus,adenovirus, AAV, poxvirus, herpes virus, measle virus, foamy virus andthe like). As used herein, the term “viral vector” encompasses vectorDNA/RNA as well as viral particles generated thereof. Viral vectors canbe replication-competent, or can be genetically disabled so as to bereplication-defective or replication-impaired. The term“replication-competent” as used herein encompasses replication-selectiveand conditionally-replicative viral vectors which are engineered toreplicate better or selectively in specific host cells (e.g. tumoralcells).

In one aspect, the recombinant vector in use in the invention is arecombinant adenoviral vector (for a review, see “Adenoviral vectors forgene therapy”, 2002, Ed D. Curiel and J. Douglas, Academic Press). Itcan be derived from a variety of human or animal sources and anyserotype can be employed from the adenovirus serotypes 1 through 51.Particularly preferred are human adenoviruses 2 (Ad2), 5 (Ad5), 6 (Ad6),11 (Ad11), 24 (Ad24) and 35 (Ad35). Such adenovirus are available fromthe American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Rockville, Md.), and havebeen the patient of numerous publications describing their sequence,organization and methods of producing, allowing the artisan to applythem (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,028; U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,735;WO 02/40665; WO 00/50573; EP 1016711; Vogels et al., 2003, J. Virol. 77,8263-8271).

The adenoviral vector in use in the present invention can bereplication-competent. Numerous examples of replication-competentadenoviral vectors are readily available to those skill in the art (see,for example, Hernandez-Alcoceba et al., 2000, Human Gene Ther. 11,2009-2024; Nemunaitis et al., 2001, Gene Ther. 8, 746-759; Alemany etal., 2000, Nature Biotechnology 18, 723-727). For example, they can beengineered from a wild-type adenovirus genome by deletion in the E1A CR2domain (see for example WO00/24408) and/or by replacement of the nativeE1 and/or E4 promoters with tissue, tumor or cell status-specificpromoters (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,205, WO99/25860, U.S.Pat. No. 5,698,443, WO00/46355, WO00/15820 and WO01/36650).

Alternatively, the adenoviral vector in use in the invention isreplication-defective (see for example WO94/28152; Lusky et al., 1998,J. Virol 72, 2022-2032). Preferred replication-defective adenoviralvectors are E1-defective (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,594 andU.S. Pat. No. 6,013,638), with an E1 deletion extending fromapproximately positions 459 to 3328 or from approximately positions 459to 3510 (by reference to the sequence of the human adenovirus type 5disclosed in the GeneBank under the accession number M 73260 and inChroboczek et al., 1992, Virol. 186, 280-285). The cloning capacity canfurther be improved by deleting additional portion(s) of the adenoviralgenome (all or part of the non essential E3 region or of other essentialE2, E4 regions). Insertion of a nucleic acid in any location of theadenoviral vector can be performed through homologous recombination asdescribed in Chartier et al. (1996, J. Virol. 70, 4805-4810). Forexample, the nucleic acid encoding the HPV-16 E6 polypeptide can beinserted in replacement of the E1 region and the nucleic acid encodingthe HPV-16 E7 polypeptide in replacement of the E3 region or vice versa.

In another and preferred aspect, the vector in use in the invention is apoxviral vector (see for example Cox et al. in “Viruses in Human GeneTherapy” Ed J. M. Hos, Carolina Academic Press). According to anotherpreferred embodiment it is selected in the group consisting of vacciniavirus, suitable vaccinia viruses include without limitation theCopenhagen strain (Goebel et al., 1990, Virol. 179, 247-266 and 517-563;Johnson et al., 1993, Virol. 196, 381-401), the Wyeth strain and thehighly attenuated attenuated virus derived thereof including MVA (forreview see Mayr, A., et al., 1975, Infection 3, 6-14) and derivatesthereof (such as MVA vaccinia strain 575 (ECACC V00120707—U.S. Pat. No.6,913,752), NYVAC (see WO 92/15672—Tartaglia et al., 1992, Virology,188, 217-232). Determination of the complete sequence of the MVA genomeand comparison with the Copenhagen VV genome has allowed the preciseidentification of the seven deletions (I to VII) which occurred in theMVA genome (Antoine et al., 1998, Virology 244, 365-396), any of whichcan be used to insert the antigen-encoding nucleic acid. The vector mayalso be obtained from any other member of the poxviridae, in particularfowlpox (e.g. TROVAC, see Paoletti et al, 1995, Dev Biol Stand., 84,159-163); canarypox (e.g. ALVAC, WO 95/27780, Paoletti et al, 1995, DevBiol Stand., 84, 159-163); pigeonpox; swinepox and the like. By way ofexample, persons skilled in the art may refer to WO 92 15672(incorporated by reference) which describes the production of expressionvectors based on poxviruses capable of expressing such heterologousnucleotide sequence, especially nucleotide sequence encoding antigen.

The basic technique for inserting the nucleic acid and associatedregulatory elements required for expression in a poxviral genome isdescribed in numerous documents accessible to the man skilled in the art(Paul et al., 2002, Cancer gene Ther. 9, 470-477; Piccini et al., 1987,Methods of Enzymology 153, 545-563; U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,330; U.S. Pat.No. 4,772,848; U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,112; U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,587 and U.S.Pat. No. 5,179,993). Usually, one proceed through homologousrecombination between overlapping sequences (i.e. desired insertionsite) present both in the viral genome and a plasmid carrying thenucleic acid to insert.

The nucleic acid encoding the antigen of the Invention is preferablyinserted in a nonessential locus of the poxviral genome, in order thatthe recombinant poxvirus remains viable and infectious. Nonessentialregions are non-coding intergenic regions or any gene for whichinactivation or deletion does not significantly impair viral growth,replication or infection. One may also envisage insertion in anessential viral locus provided that the defective function is suppliedin trans during production of viral particles, for example by using anhelper cell line carrying the complementing sequences corresponding tothose deleted in the poxviral genome.

When using the Copenhagen vaccinia virus, the antigen-encoding nucleicacid is preferably inserted in the thymidine kinase gene (tk) (Hruby etal., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 80, 3411-3415; Weir et al., 1983,J. Virol. 46, 530-537). However, other insertion sites are alsoappropriate, e.g. in the hemagglutinin gene (Guo et al., 1989, J. Virol.63, 4189-4198), in the K1L locus, in the u gene (Zhou et al., 1990, J.Gen. Virol. 71, 2185-2190) or at the left end of the vaccinia virusgenome where a variety of spontaneous or engineered deletions have beenreported in the literature (Altenburger et al., 1989, Archives Virol.105, 15-27; Moss et al. 1981, J. Virol. 40, 387-395; Panicali et al.,1981, J. Virol. 37, 1000-1010; Perkus et al, 1989, J. Virol. 63,3829-3836; Perkus et al, 1990, Virol. 179, 276-286; Perkus et al, 1991,Virol. 180, 406-410).

When using MVA, the antigen-encoding nucleic acid can be inserted in anyone of the identified deletions I to VII as well as in the D4R locus,but insertion in deletion II or III is preferred (Meyer et al., 1991, J.Gen. Virol. 72, 1031-1038; Sutter et al., 1994, Vaccine 12, 1032-1040).

When using fowlpox virus, although insertion within the thymidine kinasegene may be considered, the antigen-encoding nucleic acid is preferablyintroduced in the intergenic region situated between ORFs 7 and 9 (seefor example EP 314 569 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,675).

According to one special embodiment, said recombinant vector is arecombinant plasmid DNA or a recombinant viral vector.

According to another special embodiment, said recombinant viral vectoris a recombinant adenoviral vector.

According to another special embodiment, said recombinant viral vectoris a recombinant vaccinia vector.

According to another special embodiment, said recombinant vacciniavector is a recombinant MVA vector.

Preferably, the antigen-encoding nucleic acid in use in the invention isin a form suitable for its expression in a host cell or organism, whichmeans that the nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen are placedunder the control of one or more regulatory sequences necessary for itsexpression in the host cell or organism. As used herein, the term“regulatory sequence” refers to any sequence that allows, contributes ormodulates the expression of a nucleic acid in a given host cell,including replication, duplication, transcription, splicing,translation, stability and/or transport of the nucleic acid or one ofits derivative (i.e. mRNA) into the host cell. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the choice of the regulatory sequences candepend on factors such as the host cell, the vector and the level ofexpression desired. The nucleic acid encoding the antigen is operativelylinked to a gene expression sequence which directs the expression of theantigen nucleic acid within a eukaryotic cell. The gene expressionsequence is any regulatory nucleotide sequence, such as a promotersequence or promoter-enhancer combination, which facilitates theefficient transcription and translation of the antigen nucleic acid towhich it is operatively linked. The gene expression sequence may, forexample, be a mammalian or viral promoter, such as a constitutive orinducible promoter. Constitutive mammalian promoters include, but arenot limited to, the promoters for the following genes: hypoxanthinephosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), adenosine deaminase, pyruvate kinase,b-actin promoter and other constitutive promoters. Exemplary viralpromoters which function constitutively in eukaryotic cells include, forexample, promoters from the cytomegalovirus (CMV), simian virus (e.g.,SV40), papilloma virus, adenovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),Rous sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus, the long terminal repeats (LTR) ofMoloney leukemia virus and other retroviruses, and the thymidine kinasepromoter of herpes simplex virus. Other constitutive promoters are knownto those of ordinary skill in the art. The promoters useful as geneexpression sequences of the invention also include inducible promoters.Inducible promoters are expressed in the presence of an inducing agent.

For example, the metallothionein promoter is induced to promotetranscription and translation in the presence of certain metal ions.Other inducible promoters are known to those of ordinary skill in theart. In general, the gene expression sequence shall include, asnecessary, 5′ non-transcribing and 5′ non-translating sequences involvedwith the initiation of transcription and translation, respectively, suchas a TATA box, capping sequence, CAAT sequence, and the like.Especially, such 5′ non-transcribing sequences will include a promoterregion which includes a promoter sequence for transcriptional control ofthe operably joined antigen nucleic acid. The gene expression sequencesoptionally include enhancer sequences or upstream activator sequences asdesired. Preferred promoters for use in a poxviral vector (see below)include without limitation vaccinia promoters 7.5K, H5R, TK, p28, p11and K1L, chimeric promoters between early and late poxviral promoters aswell as synthetic promoters such as those described in Chakrabarti etal. (1997, Biotechniques 23, 1094-1097), Hammond et al. (1997, J.Virological Methods 66, 135-138) and Kumar and Boyle (1990, Virology179, 151-158).

The promoter is of special importance and the present inventionencompasses the use of constitutive promoters which direct expression ofthe nucleic acid in many types of host cells and those which directexpression only in certain host cells or in response to specific eventsor exogenous factors (e.g. by temperature, nutrient additive, hormone orother ligand). Suitable promoters are widely described in literature andone may cite more specifically viral promoters such as RSV, SV40, CMVand MLP promoters. Preferred promoters for use in a poxviral vectorinclude without limitation vaccinia promoters 7.5K, H5R, TK, p28, p11and K1L, chimeric promoters between early and late poxviral promoters aswell as synthetic promoters such as those described in Chakrabarti etal. (1997, Biotechniques 23, 1094-1097), Hammond et al. (1997, J.Virological Methods 66, 135-138) and Kumar and Boyle (1990, Virology179, 151-158).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the regulatory elementscontrolling the expression of the nucleic acid molecule of the inventionmay further comprise additional elements for proper initiation,regulation and/or termination of transcription (e.g. polyA transcriptiontermination sequences), mRNA transport (e.g. nuclear localization signalsequences), processing (e.g. splicing signals), and stability (e.g.introns and non-coding 5′ and 3′ sequences), translation (e.g. peptidesignal, propeptide, tripartite leader sequences, ribosome binding sites,Shine-Dalgamo sequences, etc.) into the host cell or organism.

Alternatively, the recombinant vector in use in the present inventioncan further comprise at least one nucleic acid encoding at least onecytokine. Suitable cytokines include without limitation interleukins(e.g. IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-18, IL-21) and interferons (e.g. IFNγ,INFα), with a special preference for interleukin IL-2. When therecombinant vaccine of the invention comprises a cytokine-expressingnucleic acid, said nucleic acid may be carried by the recombinant vectorencoding the one or more antigen(s) or by an independent recombinantvector which can be of the same or a different origin.

According to one preferred embodiment, the recombinant vector in use inthe present invention is encoding all or part of the MUC1 antigen and atleast one cytokines above listed, and preferably an interleukin,especially IL2. Preferably the recombinant vector in use in the presentinvention is an MVA encoding all or part of the MUC1 antigen and atleast one cytokines above listed, and preferably an interleukin,especially IL2.

Infectious viral particles comprising the above-described recombinantviral vector can be produced by routine process. An exemplary processcomprises the steps of:

a. introducing the viral vector into a suitable cell line,

b. culturing said cell line under suitable conditions so as to allow theproduction of said infectious viral particle,

c. recovering the produced infectious viral particle from the culture ofsaid cell line, and

d. optionally purifying said recovered infectious viral particle.

Cells appropriate for propagating adenoviral vectors are for example 293cells, PERC6 cells, HER96 cells, or cells as disclosed in WO 94/28152,WO 97/00326, U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,175.

Cells appropriate for propagating poxvirus vectors are avian cells, andmost preferably primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) prepared fromchicken embryos obtained from fertilized eggs.

The infectious viral particles may be recovered from the culturesupernatant or from the cells after lysis (e.g. by chemical means,freezing/thawing, osmotic shock, mechanic shock, sonication and thelike). The viral particles can be isolated by consecutive rounds ofplaque purification and then purified using the techniques of the art(chromatographic methods, ultracentrifugation on caesium chloride orsucrose gradient).

If desired, the method or use for treating a patient for human diseasehuman disease according to the Invention (i.e. by administering animmunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen) can be carriedout in the selected patients in conjunction with one or moreconventional therapeutic modalities (e.g. radiation, chemotherapy and/orsurgery). The use of multiple therapeutic approaches provides theselected patient with a broader based intervention. In one embodiment,the method or use for treating a patient for human disease human diseaseaccording to the Invention can be preceded or followed by a surgicalintervention. In another embodiment, it can be preceded or followed byradiotherapy (e.g. gamma radiation). Those skilled in the art canreadily formulate appropriate radiation therapy protocols and parameterswhich can be used (see for example Perez and Brady, 1992, Principles andPractice of Radiation Oncology, 2nd Ed. JB Lippincott Co; usingappropriate adaptations and modifications as will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the field). In still another embodiment, the method oruse of the invention is associated to chemotherapy with one or moredrugs (e.g. drugs which are conventionally used for treating orpreventing viral infections, virus-associated pathologic conditions,cancer, and the like).

The present Invention thus relates to a method for improving thetreatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing chemotherapeutictreatment with a chemotherapeutic agent, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   selection of patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patients an immunogenic        composition according to the Invention and a chemotherapeutic        agent.

The present Invention thus relates to a method for improving thetreatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing chemotherapeutictreatment with a chemotherapeutic agent, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells according to        the Invention.

According to one embodiment, the administration of said chemotherapeuticagent is done before administration of said immunogenic composition.

According to another embodiment, the administration of saidchemotherapeutic agent is done after administration of said immunogeniccomposition.

According to another embodiment, the administration of saidchemotherapeutic agent is done concomitantly with administration of saidimmunogenic composition.

According to one embodiment, said chemotherapeutic agent is cisplatinand/or Gemcitabine, or equivalent thereof.

The present Invention further concerns a method of improving cytotoxiceffectiveness of cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy which comprisesco-treating a patient selected in a patient population composed ofpatients that have low levels of activated NK cells with an immunogeniccomposition according to the Invention.

In another embodiment, the method or use of the invention is carried outaccording to a prime boost therapeutic modality which comprisessequential administration of one or more primer composition(s) and oneor more booster composition(s). Typically, the priming and the boostingcompositions use different vehicles which comprise or encode at least anantigenic domain in common. The priming composition is initiallyadministered to the host organism and the boosting composition issubsequently administered to the same host organism after a periodvarying from one day to twelve months. The method of the invention maycomprise one to ten sequential administrations of the primingcomposition followed by one to ten sequential administrations of theboosting composition. Desirably, injection intervals are a matter of oneweek to six months. Moreover, the priming and boosting compositions canbe administered at the same site or at alternative sites by the sameroute or by different routes of administration.

According to one special embodiment, the Invention relates to a methodas above described wherein said human disease is cancer.

According to a preferred embodiment, said cancer is for example breastcancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, rectal cancer, lung cancer, cancerof the head and neck, renal cancer, malignant melanoma, laryngealcancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, non Small cellLung Cancer, haematological cancers, gastric cancers, myeloma.

According to one special embodiment, the Invention relates to a methodas above described wherein said human disease is infectious disease.

According to a preferred embodiment, said infectious disease is a viralinduced disease, such as for example disease induced by HIV, HCV, HBV,HPV, and the like.

In a further embodiment there is provided the use of an immunogeniccomposition comprising all or part of a targeted antigen for themanufacture of a medicament for treating a patient for human disease ina particular patient population wherein the patients of said populationhave low levels of activated NK cells.

In a further embodiment there is provided the use of an immunogeniccomposition for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immuneresponse (i.e. the raised immune response) in a patient for treatinghuman disease in a particular patient population wherein the patients ofsaid population have low levels of activated NK cells.

In another embodiment there is provided the use of an immunogeniccomposition for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immuneresponse to at least one antigen (i.e. the raised immune response) in apatient for treating human disease in a particular patient populationwherein the patients of said population have low levels of activated NKcells.

In another embodiment there is provided the use of an immunogeniccomposition for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immuneresponse to a targeted antigen (i.e. the raised immune response) in apatient for treating human disease in a particular patient populationwherein the patients of said population have low levels of activated NKcells.

In another embodiment there is provided the use of an immunogeniccomposition for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immuneresponse (i.e. the raised immune response) in a patient for treatinghuman disease in a particular patient population wherein the patients ofsaid population have low levels of activated NK cells and wherein saidraised immune response is innate immune response.

According to one special embodiment, said “raised immune response” insaid patient population is directed towards a tumour-specific or-related antigens and/or viral antigen. According to one embodiment,said “raised immune response” in said patient population is directedtowards distinct antigens. According to one special embodiment, said“raised immune response” in said patient population is directed towardsall or part of MUC1 antigen. According to another special embodiment,said “raised immune response” in said patient population is T cellimmune response, and preferably CD8+ (Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes) immuneresponse. According to another special embodiment, said “raised immuneresponse” in said patient population is a non specific immune response.According to another special embodiment, said “raised immune response”in said patient population is a stimulation of the innate immuneresponse.

The ability to induce or stimulate an immune response uponadministration in an animal or human organism can be evaluated either invitro or in vivo using a variety of assays which are standard in theart. For a general description of techniques available to evaluate theonset and activation of an immune response, see for example Coligan etal. (1992 and 1994, Current Protocols in Immunology; ed J Wiley & SonsInc, National Institute of Health). Measurement of cellular immunity canbe performed by measurement of cytokine profiles secreted by activatedeffector cells including those derived from CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells (e.g.quantification of IL-10 or IFN gamma-producing cells by ELIspot), bydetermination of the activation status of immune effector cells (e.g. Tcell proliferation assays by a classical [³H] thymidine uptake), byassaying for antigen-specific T lymphocytes in a sensitized patient(e.g. peptide-specific lysis in a cytotoxicity assay) or by detection ofantigen specific T cells by fluorescent MHC and/or peptide multimers(e.g. tetramers). The ability to stimulate a humoral response may bedetermined by antibody binding and/or competition in binding (see forexample Harlow, 1989, Antibodies, Cold Spring Harbor Press). The methodof the invention can also be further validated in animal modelschallenged with an appropriate tumor-inducing agent (e.g.MUC1-expressing TC1 cells) to determine anti-tumor activity, reflectingan induction or an enhancement of an anti-antigen immune response.

Thus the present invention further concerns a method for extending thesurvival of a patient treated for human disease, for example cancer, byadministering an immunogenic composition, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   selection of patient in a patient population composed of        patients that have low levels of activated NK cells,    -   administering to said selected patients the said immunogenic        composition.

The present invention further concerns a method for extending thesurvival rate of a patient treated for human disease, for examplecancer, by administering an immunogenic composition, said methodcomprising the following steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells.

The present invention further concerns a method for extending thesurvival rate of a patient treated for human disease, for examplecancer, by administering an immunogenic composition and chemotherapeuticagent (see above), said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition        and chemotherapeutic agent if said patient has low levels of        activated NK cells.

According to another embodiment, the present Invention relates to theuse of activated NK cells as a biomarker for predicting whether apatient is or is not susceptible to developing prophylactic ortherapeutic immune response by administration of an immunogeniccomposition.

More specifically, the present Invention relates to the use of the levelof activated NK cells as a biomarker for predicting whether a patient isor is not susceptible to developing prophylactic or therapeutic immuneresponse by administration of an immunogenic composition, wherein lowlevels of activated NK cells indicates that the patient is predicted tohave an increased susceptibility to develop a prophylactic ortherapeutic immune response.

In other words, the present Invention relates to the use of the level ofactivated NK cells as a biomarker for predicting whether a patient is oris not susceptible to survive longer after administration of animmunogenic composition, wherein low levels of activated NK cellsindicates that the patient is predicted to have a longer survival ratecompared to treated patients who have higher levels of activated NKcells.

Thus the Invention further concerns the use of the level of activated NKcells as a biomarker for predicting whether a patient which isundergoing chemotherapeutic treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent isor is not susceptible to developing prophylactic or therapeutic immuneresponse (e.g. to survive longer) after administration of an immunogeniccomposition.

Thus the Invention further concerns the use of the level of activated NKcells as a biomarker for predicting whether a patient which isundergoing chemotherapeutic treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent isor is not susceptible to developing prophylactic or therapeutic immuneresponse (e.g. to survive longer) after administration of an immunogeniccomposition, wherein low levels of activated NK cells indicates that thepatient is predicted to have an increased susceptibility to develop aprophylactic or therapeutic immune response.

The present Invention thus relates to a method for improving thetreatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing chemotherapeutictreatment with a chemotherapeutic agent, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells according to        the Invention.

The present invention further concerns a method for extending thesurvival of a patient treated for human disease, for example cancer, byadministering an immunogenic composition, said method comprising thefollowing steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition if        said patient has low levels of activated NK cells.

The present invention further concerns a method for extending thesurvival of a patient treated for human disease, for example cancer, byadministering an immunogenic composition and chemotherapeutic agent (seeabove), said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   measuring in the patient the levels of activated NK cells, and    -   administering to the patient the said immunogenic composition        and chemotherapeutic agent if said patient has low levels of        activated NK cells.

The invention also provides kits (i.e. companion test) which includeparts for practicing the methods described herein and that will beapparent from the examples provided herein. The kit of parts, or kits,may include reagents for collecting and or measuring serum levels ofactivated NK cells. Such reagents may include antibodies. The kits mayfurther include equipment for collecting and/or processing biologicalsamples. The kits are also likely to contain instructions for use,cut-off values and/or instructions for their determination, andinstructions for interpreting the data obtained from the use of thekits.

According to one special embodiment, the said kit of parts, or kits, mayfurther include an immunogenic composition as above disclosed, and/or asdisclosed in the Example section below.

The invention further provides computer programs and/or algorithms formonitoring clinical trial and activated NK cells levels, determiningwhether such levels are above or below a threshold level, and/orrecommending modifications to a treatment regiment to improve apatient's response to an immunotherapy treatment. The computer programsor algorithms may be provided along with necessary hardware, e.g., inthe form of a kit or apparatus, which may also accept biological samplesand measure the relative levels of activated NK cells present therein.The above-described computer programs and/or apparatus are likely to beprovided to physicians or clinical laboratories with appropriateinstructions and reagents, including antibodies.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced in a different way from what is specifically describedherein.

All of the above cited disclosures of patents, publications and databaseentries are specifically incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety to the same extent as if each such individual patent,publication or entry were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

Figures

FIG. 1: Survival curves describing vaccine immunotherapy in lung cancer:patients with < or ≧3.45% Activated NK

-   -   Group 1: Vaccine (i.e. immunogenic composition)+chemotherapy in        patients with low levels of activated NK cells. Low levels as        defined as <3.45% CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes in peripheral        blood. 48 patients        -   Group 2: Vaccine+chemotherapy in patients with high levels            of activated NK cells. High levels as defined as ≧3.45%            CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood. 21            patients

Significant difference, by log rank: p=0.0018

◯ Complete + Censored

FIG. 2: Survival curves describing vaccine immunotherapy in lung cancer:patients who have < or ≧35 Activated NK per μl whole blood.

-   -   Group 1: Vaccine+chemotherapy in patients with low levels of        activated NK cells. Low levels as defined as <35 CD16+ CD56+        CD69+ lymphocytes per μl of peripheral blood. 33 patients.        -   Group 2: Vaccine+chemotherapy in patients with high levels            of activated NK cells. High levels as defined as ≧35 CD16+            CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes per μl peripheral blood. 22            patients.

Significant difference, by log rank: p=0.017

◯ Complete + Censored

FIG. 3: Survival curves describing chemotherapy in lung cancer: patientswith < or ≧3.45% Activated NK

-   -   Group 1: Chemotherapy alone (without vaccine) in patients with        low levels of activated NK cells. Low levels as defined as        <3.45% CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood. 53        patients.        -   Group 2: Chemotherapy alone (without vaccine) in patients            with high levels of activated NK cells. High levels as            defined as >3.45% CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes in            peripheral blood. 16 patients.

Significant difference, by log rank: p=0.30 (not statisticallysignificant)

◯ Complete + Censored

FIG. 4: Survival curves describing chemotherapy in lung cancer: patientswho have < or ≧35 Activated NK per μl whole blood.

-   -   Group 1: Chemotherapy alone (without vaccine) in patients with        low levels of activated NK cells. Low levels as defined as <35        CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes per μl of peripheral blood. 45        patients.        -   Group 2: Chemotherapy alone (without vaccine). 16 patients

Significant difference, by log rank: p=0.08 (not significant)

◯ Complete + Censored

Example 1

The immunogenic composition, noted vaccine TG4010, was used to treatnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in combination with standardchemotherapy.

TG4010 is a recombinant Modified Virus Ankara (MVA) expressing both 1L2and the tumor-associated antigen MUC1.

One hundred and forty eight patients were randomized to receive:

-   -   chemotherapy (Cisplatin 75 mg/m² on d1 and Gemcitabine 1250        mg/m² on day 1 and day 8 every 3 weeks for up to 6 cycles)        either alone (Study Arm 2) or    -   chemotherapy together with TG4010 (Study Arm 1).

Tumors were evaluated (WHO criteria) every 6 weeks. Endpoints wereprogression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and overall survival withintent to treat analysis.

Blood samples were taken prior to treatment and were shipped immediatelyto a central immunology lab where peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) were isolated from the blood and stored frozen until analysis.

PBMC were assessed for the expression of CD16, CD56 and CD69 by flowcytometry using monoclonal antibodies specific for those antigens(IM0814, IM2073 and IM2656, respectively, all from Beckman Coulter). Theproportion of cells expressing these antigens can be expressed as % oftotal lymphocytes evaluated or numbers of CD16+ CD56+ and CD69+ in thePBMC population per μl of whole blood.

FIG. 1 shows that patients [Arm 1 (TG4010+chemotherapy)] with <3.45%CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes at baseline survive longer (mediansurvival=16.1 months) than do patients with ≧3.45% CD16+ CD56+ CD69+lymphocytes (median survival 17.1 months) when treated with both theTG4010 vaccine and chemotherapy.

Similarly, the data in FIG. 2 show that the same results are achieved ifpatients are selected on the basis of < or >35 CD16+ CD56+ CD69+lymphocytes per μl of whole blood (based on measurement using PBMC).Patients with <35 CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes per μl of whole blood(based on measurement of PBMC) survive longer (median survival=19.9months) than patients with ≧35 CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes per μl ofwhole blood (based on measurement of PBMC) (median survival=9.9 months).

The data in FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate that the effect of selectingpatients based on the expression of CD16, CD56 and CD69 on theirlymphocytes is restricted to patients receiving the vaccine. FIG. 3shows that patients with < or >3.45% CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes atbaseline have the same survival expectancy. FIG. 4 shows that theobservation using 35 CD16+ CD56+ CD69+ lymphocytes per μl whole blood atbaseline.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method of inducing an immune response in a cancerpatient comprising: obtaining results from a measurement of the level ofactivated NK cells in a peripheral blood sample from the patient,wherein the level of activated NK cells is measured by determining thelevel of CD16, CD56 and CD69 cell surface antigens expressed byperipheral blood lymphocytes in the sample; and administering acomposition comprising at least one recombinant viral vector expressingat least one heterologous nucleotide sequence to the patient if thelevel of activated NK cells in the sample is measured to be less thanabout 5%.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the level of activated NKcells is measured by flow cytometry.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereinthe level of activated NK cells is measured using antibodies specificfor CD16, CD56 and CD69 cell surface antigens.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein the peripheral blood sample is whole peripheral blood orisolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein the recombinant viral vector is replication-competent.
 17. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the recombinant viral vector isreplication-defective.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein therecombinant viral vector is a recombinant adenoviral vector.
 19. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the recombinant viral vector is arecombinant vaccinia vector.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein therecombinant vaccinia vector is a recombinant MVA vector.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein the recombinant MVA vector expresses interleukin 2(IL2) and the tumor-associated antigen MUC1.
 22. The method of claim 12,wherein the patient is further treated with a chemotherapeutic agent.23. The method of claim 12 wherein the recombinant viral vectorexpresses interleukin 2 (IL2) and the tumor-associated antigen MUC1. 24.The method of claim 12, wherein the patient suffers from non small-celllung cancer (NSCLC).
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the recombinantviral vector expresses interleukin 2 (IL2) and the tumor-associatedantigen MUC1.
 26. The method of claim 12, wherein the level of activatedNK cells is measured using antibodies specific for CD16, CD56, CD69, andCD3 cell surface antigens expressed by the peripheral blood lymphocytesin the sample.
 27. A method of inducing an immune response in a cancerpatient comprising: obtaining results from a measurement of the level ofactivated NK cells in a peripheral blood sample from the patient,wherein the level of activated NK cells is measured by determining thelevel of CD16, CD56 and CD69 cell surface antigens expressed byperipheral blood lymphocytes in the sample; and administering acomposition comprising at least one recombinant viral vector expressingat least one heterologous nucleotide sequence to the patient if thelevel of activated NK cells in the sample is measured to be less thanabout 3.5%.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the recombinant viralvector expresses interleukin 2 (IL2) and the tumor-associated antigenMUC1.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the recombinant viral vectoris an MVA vector.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the patientsuffers from non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
 31. The method of claim30, wherein the recombinant viral vector expresses interleukin 2 (IL2)and the tumor-associated antigen MUC1.
 32. The method of claim 27,wherein said patient is further treated with a chemotherapeutic agent.